One Night in Calcutta
Trip Start
Mar 22, 2006
1
5
6
Trip End
Aug 12, 2006
Calcutta,
India
Friday, May 12, 2006
Calcutta is a massive contrast as expected, much like any other Indian city its is filthy, overcrowded, very hot, packed with food stalls and beggars, yet somehow remains charming and full of good energy. Am only in Calcutta for one night as Rob is already in Nepal waiting for my good self. Spend some time wandering the streets in order to book a train to the Nepalese border and to post a parcel, that's pretty much two days gone, nothing happens quickly in India. Noticed a lot of the locals were having a laugh at my expense throughout the day, as it turns out, it was because I wearing a sarong and a vest. Apparently this is what the Indian men where when they get out of the bath or when they go to bed, I guess I still thought I was on the beach, seemed silly to wear anything more in such heat! Not to worry, got plenty of respect for my handlebar moustache, tis coming on nicely and will soon be long enough to plat!
Took a night train to the Nepalese border, as always sleeping on an Indian train was a great experience with little sleep! Short ride in a taxi and I'm in Nepal. Couldn't believe how different the people were, I was expecting the Nepalese to be stuck in a time warp just like the Indians, how wrong I was! Nepal is a great example of East meets West, full of culture, old traditional values and religion not unlike India, yet the people are sane and seem aware of the ever changing world around them!
